Salary levels vary significantly across European countries. While nations such as Luxembourg or Ireland offer very high average wages, others like Spain or Portugal remain in the lower range. However, what truly matters is not only the gross salary, but also the net salary and real purchasing power.
| Country | Average Gross Salary | Approx. Net Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg | €65,000 | ≈ €45,500 |
| Germany | €50,000 | ≈ €32,500 |
| France | €40,000 | ≈ €30,000 |
| Italy | €35,000 | ≈ €25,500 |
| Spain | €28,000 | ≈ €22,000 |
| Portugal | €20,000 | ≈ €16,000 |
As shown, the average gross salary in Spain is almost half that of Germany. However, the cost of living is also lower, which partly offsets the difference.
| Country | Gross Monthly Minimum Wage (14 payments) | Approx. Net Minimum Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg | €2,570 | ≈ €2,100 |
| France | €1,767 | ≈ €1,400 |
| Germany | €1,800 | ≈ €1,300 |
| Spain | €1,134 | ≈ €965 |
| Portugal | €950 | ≈ €800 |
A salary does not have the same value everywhere. For example, living in Luxembourg with €45,000 net may leave less savings capacity than in Spain with €22,000 net, due to the higher cost of housing and services.
According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Spain ranks mid-range in Europe: lower salaries, but also a lower cost of living compared to the continental average.
It is below the EU average, but well above Eastern European countries. The average net salary in Spain is around €22,000, compared to €30,000 in France and €32,500 in Germany.
Luxembourg, with over €2,500 gross per month, followed by Ireland, France, and Germany.
Always compare in net terms, since taxes and contributions vary greatly between countries. Also consider the cost of living to evaluate real purchasing power.
Yes, you can estimate it with our net salary calculator, which adapts to your region, number of payments, and updated IRPF tax brackets.